Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni said on Wednesday that star forward Lionel Messi will be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil despite little game time recently.
Messi's Inter Miami side were knocked out before the MLS playoffs and he has been out of action for almost a month in the middle of the season.
"Messi is fine, he is doing well. Even though he's played one game in the last 25 days, he's been training normally, he's fit and good," Scaloni told a press conference on Wednesday.
Argentina will lock horns with Uruguay on Thursday before facing Brazil next Tuesday.
The record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi, last took the field in match with Inter Miami on October 21.
Messi's brace helped Argentina register a 2-0 victory over Peru last month.
Scaloni is also eager to reunite with his former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa, who is now in charge of Uruguay.
"All of us who have passed through his hands (as a coach) are marked. It's a satisfaction to be able to face him and greet him," he said.
Argentina lead the South American qualifying group with 12 points after four wins in as many matches. Uruguay are second with seven points, level with third-placed Brazil and fourth-placed Venezuela.
"This team has already shown that it is capable of playing against any opponent... We will rise to the occasion, we are ready to compete," he added.